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Valley Spirit: August 31, 1870 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

Our Candidate
(Column 01)

Summary: Introduces the Democratic congressional candidate for the sixteenth district, B.F. Meyers. Goes through his background, accomplishments, and his support of Democratic principles and policies.

Full Text of Article:

On the 25th inst., at McConnellsburg, Hon. B.F. Meyers was nominated as the Democratic candidate for Congress in the Sixteenth Congressional District. Mr. Meyers is a resident of Bedford, a lawyer by profession, but more widely known to the people of the district and state as one of the editors and proprietors of the Bedford Gazette and also as one of the editors and proprietors of the Harrisburg Morning Patriot. In the capacity of a journalist he has won an enviable reputation throughout the State. The Patriot, under its present management, has become the leading Democratic daily paper in the Commonwealth. Repeated attempts had been made to publish a Democratic paper at the State Capital, but each attempt proved to be a failure until the present proprietors took charge of the office. Since that time, it has grown in popular favor. Enterprise is giving the public the latest news from all parts of the world and men of talent are discussing in its columns the live political issues of the day. Its patronage has increased wonderfully and it is now established upon a solid foundation. A large amount of this success is due to the ability and zeal of Mr. Meyers, and the Conservative people of the State owe him a debt of gratitude for the manner in which this journal has been conducted.

The people of this Congressional District are peculiarly indebted to Mr. Meyers.--With devotion that has never wavered, with boldness that has never flinched and with zeal that has never flagged, he has advocated the payment of the losses sustained by the people of the border counties. Whilst other journals were silent, or, if they uttered any sound at all, were busy in defaming our citizens and deriding their claims, the Patriot was constant in its advocacy of our cause. So much enlisted in behalf of this class of sufferers was Mr. Meyers that he went to members in the Capitol and personally solicited their votes for the Border Claims Bill. Ought such devotion to pass unrewarded? Ought our citizens to fail to do justice to the man who espoused their cause when that cause was the subject of the animadversion of almost all the city dailies? We feel sure that all that is needed is to let the service of Mr. Meyers be known and they alone will commend him to the people of Franklin County.

Mr. Meyers served one term in the House of Representatives at Harrisburg and bore a good reputation for integrity and ability.--He is a man of large acquaintance with the public men of the State and of extensive experience in political affairs. He is the uncompromising foe of negro suffrage and believes in the doctrine that white men ought to govern this country. He is the enemy of that policy which seeks to give the South over to a set of carpet-baggers who expect to grow rich by piling up a huge debt for the Southern people to pay, without allowing them any voice in the selection of their rulers, or any representation in Congress. In short he is for the whole Union with the "rights, dignity and equality of the several States unimpaired."

We shall refer frequently during the campaign to the record of our candidate, and we hope to satisfy our readers that at this election, the man for whom they should cast their votes is the candidate of the Democracy.

President Grant Nominated for a Second Term
(Column 01)

Summary: Responds to a proposed renomination of Grant for president by outlining all the failures of Grant's presidency. Specifically attacks him on the issues of reconstruction and the 15th Amendment. Also talks about the gubernatorial contest in New York to demonstrate how the Republicans are bitterly divided.

Full Text of Article:

General Hiram Walbridge is bidding high for a fat office. He has nominated President Grant for a second term. He has written a letter, almost two columns in length, to the New York Standard, for the purpose of announcing publicly his ardent admiration of the present administration. He pretends to believe that "General Grant has, to an eminent degree, carried out the wishes of the people, and at the same time justified the hopes of the most earnest Republicans." It is impossible for a man of General Walbridge's years and experience to be so blind to the truth. The fact is that General Grant has neither carried out the wishes of the people, nor satisfied his own political friends.

He started his administration with the declaration that "the will of the people is the law of the land." The pretence was that he intended to consult the will of the people in everything that he would do. How has he done in this particular? Let the manner in which the infamous Fifteenth Amendment was ratified answer. The President knew, when he was pressing negro suffrage upon the country, that it was distasteful to the people. He knows it now. And yet he joined with the corrupt leaders of his party to force this measure in defiance of the popular feeling. He saw that the ratification could be procured by dexterous manipulation and he lent his aid to the sleight of hand tricks by which it was done.

Neither has his reconstruction policy satisfied the people. When he accepted the nomination at the hands of the Radical Convention, he threw out a sentence in order to catch voters--"let us have peace." But he has failed to give us peace. The South is not entirely represented in Congress yet, although five years have elapsed since the war closed. In North Carolina, Governor Holden attempted to intimidate voters but the wave of popular feeling swept Radicalism almost out of existence in that State at the late election. And this, too, notwithstanding the fact that it was given out that the President approved of Holden's arbitrary and lawless course. Now, all over the country, there is an earnest desire for a cordial union of hearts and hands once more among the people of the several States. But there is a general belief that the administration of President Grant wishes to keep tinkering indefinitely at this reconstruction policy so as to prevent this cordial union and keep alive the fires of sectional hatred in order to furnish an excuse for high handed proceedings to perpetuate the rule of the Radical party. In this President Grant is not "carrying out the wishes of the people."

The President has not "justified the hopes of the most earnest Republicans." From the beginning of his term to the present time, he has disappointed the most earnest Republicans in regard to his selection of Cabinet officers. He has made most shameful blunders in appointing men who were ineligible. He has thrown himself open constantly to the charge of being influenced in his appointments by large gifts from the men to whom he gave lucrative positions. Some of "the most earnest Republicans" are astounded at the wonderful capacity which the President exhibits as a receiver of good gifts from men who are aspirants for office.

There are ugly rumors about the private habits of the President which are far from "justifying the hopes" of his party friends. His frequent and large potations on fishing excursions, and the severe indisposition which almost invariably attacks him during his "swingings around the circle" have given rise to great uneasiness.

Under these circumstances, it is decidedly refreshing to read the following sentences from the pen of General Walbridge: "We have a pure administration. No American need be ashamed of his President. The air has no suspicion of corruption and debauchery." From this the writer concludes that "the renomination of General Grant is a political and national necessity."

While General Walbridge "has his hand in" at proposing candidates, he nominates the Editor of the Tribune as the Radical candidate for Governor of New York. He says there are two issues for the canvass. The one is "the financial results of Grant's administration," and the other is "whether under our present State Government there is any hope of having a fair and free election." "All other issues," he says, "must be postponed. Our friends differ on questions of revenue tariff and taxation." And because there are differences of opinion in the Radical party--differences so strong and bitter that a discussion of these would split that organization into fragments--the cry is for a postponement. It matters not that these questions of revenue, tariff and taxation are of the most vital importance to the people. Because they are important and have given rise to differences of opinion, they must be ignored. Surely the people have had enough of this political wire-pulling.

The purity of the franchise, about which General Walbridge writes a great deal is troubling the Radical party wonderfully now. It never gave them any uneasiness as long as, by the practice of the most shameless frauds, they were able to elect their candidates. But now, when these frauds do not avail to keep Democrats from being elected,--because the reaction against the Radical party has become so tremendous--they are beginning to prate about frauds and the necessity for purifying the elective franchise. Why did not the necessity for this occur to them when they were counting out Democrats in Philadelphia, who have been elected by very large majorities? Why did it not occur to them when they were counting in Geary after he had been defeated by the people of Pennsylvania? The fact that Geary was counted in fraudulently was stated on the floor of the House of representatives by Hon. Elisha Davis, last Winter. In a moment of anger at the Governor, he "let the cat out of the bag." For ten years, the Republican party has retained power by proceedings of very questionable morality. And yet they have the hardihood now to attempt to turn the public attention from themselves by a loud denunciation of corruption in the Democracy. It is the old dodge of the thief crying "Stop thief."

General Walbridge announces himself for Mr. Greeley because he will be a National candidate. He wants him because he thinks that he would be able to bamboozle foreigners into the support of the Radical ticket. He gives the Radicals of New York his opinion that their candidate must be Mr. Greeley or they will be defeated, for, in closing his letter, he says: "I can think of no other candidate with whom they would not have a desperate and almost hopeless struggle."

It is interesting to notice the differences of opinion between the Radicals of New York in this contest, for whilst General Walbridge is urging allegiance to Grant's administration as the sure way to success, the New York Sun, edited by the Radical Charles A. Dana, who was Stanton's Assistant Secretary of war, says: "If the Republicans want to make any headway in the coming election in this State, they must cut all connection with Grant's Administration."

$100,000 in the Field
(Column 02)

Summary: The paper reports a rumor that John Cessna plans to spend $100,000 to buy his re-election.The editors assert that it is very likely that the money came from Republican raiding of the tax-payers wallets.

Congressional Conference
(Column 03)

Summary: The Democratic Congressional Conference for the 16th District met and organized. W. S. Stenger, B. F. Winger, and John R. Orr represented Franklin.
(Names in announcement: W. S. Stenger, B. F. Winger, John R. Orr)

Democratic County Committee Meeting
(Column 01)

Summary: The members of the Democratic County Committee are called to meet at the Valley Spirit Office on September 3rd to begin preparing for the fall campaign.
(Names in announcement: C. W. Whitmore, J. M'Dowell Sharpe, John D. Speer, George W. White, Jacob B. Holtzworth, Thomas Fegan, David J. Skinner, John Shatzer, Henry Reber, H. A. Dysert, Samuel Gillan, William A. Hunter, R. C. McCurdy, J. Gilbert, Fletcher Noble, Henry Black, James B. Orr, W. J. Branthafer, J. A. Cook, C. Plasterer, Frederick Gelwicks, J. B. Culbertson, J. Phenicle, Simon Lecrone, Jacob Elliott, Augs. Duncan)

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: The town of Greencastle has hosted several picnics recently.

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: The Lutheran festival held at Loudon raised $115.

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: The Church of God in Shippensburg ordered a new bell that weighs 1200 pounds.

Lutheran Church
(Column 01)

Summary: The Lutheran Church will resume services. The Rev. L. A. Gotwald will preach.
(Names in announcement: Rev. L. A. Gotwald)

Population of Greencastle
(Column 01)

Summary: Capt. Joseph B. Strickler places the population of Greencastle at 1,759, an increase of 351 since 1860.
(Names in announcement: Capt. Joseph B. Strickler)

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: The Rev. J. Agnew Crawford preached in his church on Sunday.

Reformed Festival
(Column 01)

Summary: The Reformed Church in St. Thomas will hold a festival this weekend. Refreshments will be served.

Appeals
(Column 01)

Summary: Several citizens have appealed the report of the viewers assessing damage on the line of the Southern Pennsylvania Iron and Railroad Company.
(Names in announcement: David Teeter, Henry Etter, Jacob Lemaster, Abram Kieffer, Samuel Frederick)

Base Ball
(Column 02)

Summary: Chambersburg's Printers' Nine will play the Shippensburg baseball club in Shippensburg tomorrow. A "scrub nine" from Chambersburg will face the Waynesboro club in Waynesboro on Saturday.

Prisoners Removed
(Column 02)

Summary: Sheriff Fletcher moved three prisoners from the county jail to the penitentiary: Wiley A. Himes, sentenced to three years for the burglary of Dr. Clugston's store in Doylesburg; Samuel Rohrer, sentenced to three years for the attempted rape of Miss H. A. Mackey; and William Davis, sentenced to twelve years for raping Mary Snider, a nine-year-old girl from Montgomery.
(Names in announcement: Sheriff Fletcher, Wiley A. Himes, Dr. Clugston, Samuel Rohrer, H. A. Mackey, William Davis, Mary Snider)

Protracted Meeting
(Column 02)

Summary: The Bethel Church of God will hold a protracted meeting beginning next Friday, September 2nd. Rev. P. D. Collins, "known as the Indian Preacher," and many other popular ministers will be present.
(Names in announcement: Rev. P. D. Collins)

Sudden Death
(Column 02)

Summary: Amelia Carlisle, daughter of Thomas M. Carlisle, died suddenly at the Chambersburg residence of her grandfather, Samuel Seibert. She had been unwell, but able to be up and about. She suddenly contracted a spasm and rapidly took a turn for the worse.
(Names in announcement: Amelia Carlisle, Thomas M. Carlisle, Samuel Seibert)

Miss Ege's School
(Column 02)

Summary: Miss Ege's school will open on September 5th. "We understand that it is the purpose of Miss Ege and her friends (in accordance with the known wishes of the Board of Trustees of Wilson College) to make this a preparatory school to that Institution, using the same series of text books and pursuing the same course of studies, so that as the pupils advance they may easily and without unnecessary expense be transferred to the regular College classes."

Charge of Abortion Produced by a Franklin County Quack
(Column 03)

Summary: Dr. J. W. Bechtel, a Franklin County native, was charged with performing an abortion in Harrisburg that resulted in the death of the mother, Lillie Mason. "From what we can learn, he is not a graduate of any medical institution but a practitioner 'on his own book.' He went from this County to Lebanon where he 'hung out a shingle' for awhile as a Doctor, but did not remain long." From there he went to Harrisburg.
(Names in announcement: Dr. J. W. Bechtel)

Death of Hon. Elias Davis
(Column 03)

Summary: Elias Davis, father of Chambersburg's Rev. P. S. Davis, died in Maryland on August 17th. An obituary lauding his character and status accompanies the notice.
(Names in announcement: Elias Davis, Rev. P. S. Davis)

Married
(Column 05)

Summary: Edward Faust and Miss Margaret Martin, both of St. Thomas, were married on August 28th by the Rev. A. C. Felker.
(Names in announcement: Edward Faust, Margaret Martin, Rev. A. C. Felker)

Married
(Column 05)

Summary: Curtis M. Carolus and Miss Susan Brown, both of Franklin, were married on August 25th at the residence of Jacob Hoke by Z. A. Colestock.
(Names in announcement: Curtis M. Carolus, Susan Brown, Jacob Hoke, Z. A. Colestock)

Died
(Column 05)

Summary: Helen Seibert Spangler, daughter of Jacob and Annie E. Spangler, died in Chambersburg on August 30th. She was 1 year old.
(Names in announcement: Helen Seibert Spangler, Jacob Spangler, Annie E. Spangler)

Died
(Column 05)

Summary: Mrs. Amelia H. Curley died in Mercersburg on August 17th. She was 23 years old.
(Names in announcement: Amelia H. Curley)

Died
(Column 05)

Summary: Calvin McClanahan died near State Line on August 23rd. He was 17 years old.
(Names in announcement: Calvin McClanahan)